United charging different WiFi prices depending on logged in or not
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: United 1K, SkyTeam Gold, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 3
United charging different WiFi prices depending on logged in or not
On my recent flight from SFO to HKG (UA869) I noticed United was charging two different prices for the same WiFi packages depending on whether I was logged in or not.
Even more surprising was that when logged in, prices were significantly higher (up to 44% more) than when not logged in.
I can't post the screenshots as I'm new here but these are the price differences:
Not logged in:
1 hour: 8.99$
2 hours: 14.99$
Full Flight: 29.99$
Logged in:
1 hour: 14.99$
2 hours: 18.99$
Full Flight: Forgot to screenshot but believe it was 35.99$
United prompted me to log in for an easier transaction and doesn't warn about the price change.
Sounds like a pretty shady business practice.
Has anyone else noticed this?
I contacted United 1K support about this and they claimed not to be aware and to be looking into it. I was also given 10K miles... hush money?
Even more surprising was that when logged in, prices were significantly higher (up to 44% more) than when not logged in.
I can't post the screenshots as I'm new here but these are the price differences:
Not logged in:
1 hour: 8.99$
2 hours: 14.99$
Full Flight: 29.99$
Logged in:
1 hour: 14.99$
2 hours: 18.99$
Full Flight: Forgot to screenshot but believe it was 35.99$
United prompted me to log in for an easier transaction and doesn't warn about the price change.
Sounds like a pretty shady business practice.
Has anyone else noticed this?
I contacted United 1K support about this and they claimed not to be aware and to be looking into it. I was also given 10K miles... hush money?
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,227
On my recent flight from SFO to HKG (UA869) I noticed United was charging two different prices for the same WiFi packages depending on whether I was logged in or not.
Even more surprising was that when logged in, prices were significantly higher (up to 44% more) than when not logged in.
I can't post the screenshots as I'm new here but these are the price differences:
Not logged in:
1 hour: 8.99$
2 hours: 14.99$
Full Flight: 29.99$
Logged in:
1 hour: 14.99$
2 hours: 18.99$
Full Flight: Forgot to screenshot but believe it was 35.99$
Even more surprising was that when logged in, prices were significantly higher (up to 44% more) than when not logged in.
I can't post the screenshots as I'm new here but these are the price differences:
Not logged in:
1 hour: 8.99$
2 hours: 14.99$
Full Flight: 29.99$
Logged in:
1 hour: 14.99$
2 hours: 18.99$
Full Flight: Forgot to screenshot but believe it was 35.99$
#3
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: All the programs!
Posts: 1,004
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: United 1K, SkyTeam Gold, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 3
United response so far:
Let's see if they get back to me with an explanation. I'll post it here.
Dear Mr. D.:
I can only imagine your disappointment when noticed different charges for the Wi-Fi service during your March 16 travel to Hong Kong.
I apologize for disappointing experience and have reported your concerns. We never intend for there to be any shortcoming to our services,
so we'll look into it with the Wi-Fi providers that offer the services to United. I'll update you once I receive a reply. In appreciation of your
business I'm crediting your MileagePlus account with 10,000 bonus miles, which you'll receive in the next few days.
We appreciate your business and loyalty as a Premier 1K member and hope your next trip with us will deliver the experience you deserve.
Kindest Regards,
I can only imagine your disappointment when noticed different charges for the Wi-Fi service during your March 16 travel to Hong Kong.
I apologize for disappointing experience and have reported your concerns. We never intend for there to be any shortcoming to our services,
so we'll look into it with the Wi-Fi providers that offer the services to United. I'll update you once I receive a reply. In appreciation of your
business I'm crediting your MileagePlus account with 10,000 bonus miles, which you'll receive in the next few days.
We appreciate your business and loyalty as a Premier 1K member and hope your next trip with us will deliver the experience you deserve.
Kindest Regards,
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,131
Wifi changing price after login
Well this is a new one for me...
Flying Europe-SFO yesterday. Wifi was on the higher side of normal, starting at $12.99 for 1 hour :
However after logging in, the prices all jumped by $3, with 1 hour now being $15.99 :
Logged out, and they reverted back to the lower prices. Logged in again, and back to the higher prices.
I ended up buying one hour, and was charged the higher $15.99 rate.
Flying Europe-SFO yesterday. Wifi was on the higher side of normal, starting at $12.99 for 1 hour :
However after logging in, the prices all jumped by $3, with 1 hour now being $15.99 :
Logged out, and they reverted back to the lower prices. Logged in again, and back to the higher prices.
I ended up buying one hour, and was charged the higher $15.99 rate.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,203
Well this is a new one for me...
Flying Europe-SFO yesterday. Wifi was on the higher side of normal, starting at $12.99 for 1 hour :
However after logging in, the prices all jumped by $3, with 1 hour now being $15.99 :
Logged out, and they reverted back to the lower prices. Logged in again, and back to the higher prices.
I ended up buying one hour, and was charged the higher $15.99 rate.
Flying Europe-SFO yesterday. Wifi was on the higher side of normal, starting at $12.99 for 1 hour :
However after logging in, the prices all jumped by $3, with 1 hour now being $15.99 :
Logged out, and they reverted back to the lower prices. Logged in again, and back to the higher prices.
I ended up buying one hour, and was charged the higher $15.99 rate.
#7
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 66,954
#8
formerly skyccord
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: United Premier Platinum, Hertz President Circle, Marriott/SPG Premier Plat Elite, Avis Preferred
Posts: 269
UA WiFi Pricing Issue
So this makes absolutely no sense. I'm on the first leg of a segment from EWR -> SFO and the second one is SFO -> TPE. I go to purchase WiFi for the full flight on the first segment I see a price of $14.99 as guest. I sign in to my MileagePlus account and the price jumps up to $32.99. I ask the flight attendant if that fee will cover me for both segments and she says she has no idea. If that was the case it would make sense but then I said let me try something. I sign into my gf's MP account and she's not on this flight with me SAME THING. So obviously they are trying to shaft MileagePlus members for some odd reason. Anyone else see this? Lastly, does anyone know if I did purchase while signed in to my MP account if it would've covered me for both segments?
See attachments.
Without being signed in aka guest
Signed into MP account
See attachments.
Without being signed in aka guest
Signed into MP account
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,108
It would not have covered multiple segments.
#10
formerly skyccord
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: United Premier Platinum, Hertz President Circle, Marriott/SPG Premier Plat Elite, Avis Preferred
Posts: 269
Oh that's the reason? Well jokes on them. My Windows 10 laptop allows me to create a mobile hotspot from it when i'm connected to a WiFi network and connect up to 8 devices to it. I think they should give you the option, I guess in a way they do. But plenty of people probably don't even notice. Just another revenue stream.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 102
Yes they definitely are -- yesterday flying back to EWR my seatmate and I had different prices for the same flight. I have noticed another variable as well - sometimes before the flight "re-sync's" to the current flight after the previous segment you can get the prior flights pricing offer...
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
united. saved card+switch device is nice but price scamming loyal elites is pretty crummy.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 6, 2018 at 1:43 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 41,935
These prices are way out line, logged in or not. Just 12+ months ago, you could buy PMCO wifi for $2-4 an hour domestic and it worked most of the time, now they want $35 for wifi that rarely works, and when it does, is slower than dial-up? Are they nuts?
IIRC from the Travel Tech forum, there was a monthly service available, similar to Boingo that included wifi on most airlines, I think United was included, but at a fraction of the monthly cost any of these carriers was charging. I need to go back and have a look at it, I am not paying more than $10 for a domestic flight's wifi connection.
IIRC from the Travel Tech forum, there was a monthly service available, similar to Boingo that included wifi on most airlines, I think United was included, but at a fraction of the monthly cost any of these carriers was charging. I need to go back and have a look at it, I am not paying more than $10 for a domestic flight's wifi connection.
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 102
This is Kirby's version of the Smisek cashew -- but instead of cutting cost he just keeps jacking up the prices - I wonder if Kirby will brag about it on an earnings call....